Inspiration

As a creative individual, it is relatively easy for me to find little tidbits of inspiration. A perfectly formed flower; a brilliant southwestern sunset; a drop of water hanging onto a leaf, are only a few examples.

The inspirational moments for me lies in when my children are playing innocently and joyously, as if there isn’t a care in the world, which is as it should be, considering that children are just children. They are the simple moments, the pure moments – the moments that unfortunately do not come often enough for my family.

My youngest son doesn’t enjoy the carefree moments like most children. He has several developmental disorders and disabilities, and his biggest obstacle is overcoming his own frustration and rage at not being able to communicate clearly with or participate with others, especially other children his age. Even in simple play activities, his lack of verbal communication skills and his inability to cognitively function, can lead to extreme meltdowns and tantrums that seem to never end.

We never know if a trip to the park is going to lead to chaos and mayhem; we never know if a drive through the countryside is going to end in frustration and angry tears.
Our older two children walk and play on eggshells around their brother, and other children that we may encounter while out and about treat my youngest with scorn, and rejection, even if he’s in a stable and playful mood.

So, when those precious few moments do come around when all three children are able to play happily and easily, I sit from afar (very far away actually) and capture as many of these moments as I possibly can with my camera. In these photos, my son looks happy, normal and at peace with himself and the world around him. In these photos I see hope for his future and that someday he will have wishes, dreams and goals to work towards. In these moments I am inspired. Life is beautiful.

These photos were taken spur of the moment, four years ago during a backyard romp in the summer. The camera was an “advanced point and shoot”, and the images were processed to black and white in post production. Even now, with the more advanced and sophisticated equipment and techniques that I use, these are my favorite images ever taken. Whenever I forget what it is I am doing, and why I am doing it, all I have to do is look at these and remember.